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Original poster

What do you think of Karen?

90 replies

vividgingerchilli · 04/08/2011 22:29

I am thinking of using this name for as yet unborn DD, any thoughts? And any suggestions for an unusual but not weird middle name to go with it please?
Thanks

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lchodge · 04/08/2011 22:36

Seems very plain to me?

Karbea · 04/08/2011 22:36

Louise?

stardustn · 04/08/2011 22:41

My instant thought was the little girl in Outnumbered :) It does seem a little dated for nowadays though I quite like it as a name :)

PhylisStein · 04/08/2011 22:43

She's my 'bestie' and so I love the name!

FebreezeYourJeans · 04/08/2011 22:47

very 70s to me

InstantAtom · 04/08/2011 22:50

Karen is a nice name and underused these days. I think several of the 60s/70s names of this style could be due a comeback!

K999 · 04/08/2011 22:53

It's my name so obviously I love it! Grin

PaulaYatesbiggestfan · 04/08/2011 22:55

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AnnieLobeseder · 04/08/2011 22:59

I wish I'd used it but everyone told me it lacks somewhat in class Sad

I know loads of Karens, but they're all my age so definitely a 70s name. But I agree it's due for a comeback.

K999 · 04/08/2011 23:01

Paula. I'm now your biggest fan Grin

Lilyloo · 04/08/2011 23:02

Would imagine it more as a name for mum than dd , probably will come back in 10 / 20 years

MelinaM · 04/08/2011 23:09

It's okay, but I agree a little dated. How about Karina?

plonker · 04/08/2011 23:09

My first thought is the little girl from Outnumbered. I would have struggled to hear the name for a little girl before this programme, but you've got to love fiesty little Karen! Grin

Go for it.

babybear5 · 04/08/2011 23:10

That's my name too Smile so i love it. Middle name Lindsay?

bushymcbush · 04/08/2011 23:13

I love it. And if it really does come back into fashion in 10 or 20 years, your DD will be the coolest teen or twenty something around!

Sandalwood · 04/08/2011 23:14

I like it.

MrsFlittersnoop · 04/08/2011 23:14

Lovely, "retro" and therefore unusual name! There were at least 4 Karens in my 60's primary school class. (We did have classses of 40+ though Hmm )

Also spelt Caron and Karon as I recall :)

MerylStrop · 04/08/2011 23:16

I think it is a really beautiful name
Most of the Karens I know are in their late 30s/early 40s - was v popular then
Doesn't make it any less nice IMO

PricklyThistle · 05/08/2011 00:18

If people are saying that it's due a revival in 10-20 years, that would be a good reason to me to give it to a child now! Nice name Smile
There's a place near me called Carron, which is another spelling.

No idea about a middle name! Depends on your surname, and I always think that middle names are good for using family names.

Original poster
vividgingerchilli · 05/08/2011 05:31

Louise is nice...or maybe Louisa.
Thanks.

OP posts:
sleepywombat · 05/08/2011 05:40

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mathanxiety · 05/08/2011 05:47

It has been staging a comeback in Ireland, where it never really went 'out'. Much nicer than so many other 70s names imo.

FellatioNelson · 05/08/2011 06:08

Putting all preconceptions about age and era aside, and trying to view it in isolation, I think it's a nice name. However, I know all things go round on a fashion loop but personally I'm not ready to hear the 'Karen, Julie, Debbie, Lisa etc' loop again just yet!

Karenhappuch · 05/08/2011 09:24

It's my name!

What I didn't like about it when I was growing up was that I was one of half a dozen other Karens in my year at school. This would obviously not be a problem today.

Looking at the stats for the last 3 years, there have been about thirty-ish Karens registered so that puts the name in the top 1000. I think looking at it objectively, it's no different to names like Lauren, Megan, Seren, Tegan etc ie 2 syllable ending in 'en' names which are pretty popular at the moment for girls and more so for boys (think Ethan etc.).

I think maybe a revival is due for the name in about 30 years or so (when all the Karens are in their 70's) so anyone using Karen today would certainly be well ahead of the curve.

Would I use it? Probably not - maybe as a mn. I still prefer Katherine/Catherine from which Karen originates as I think it is a timeless classic and in all honesty I would prefer to be called this rather than Karen.

kazzymac · 05/08/2011 13:55

Well I am a Karen with Ann being my middle name. I am also a 70's child! I have only had a few occasions where people ask me to spell my name and usually ask is that Karen with a K or C? As in Caron? I like my name Smile